Gasbrand im Wochenbett

We describe gas gangrene in the puerperium in a patient after cesarean section. The diagnosis was based on signs of inflammation, severe abdominal pain, and crepitation of the skin over the lower abdomen. The patient survived after treatment consisting of hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy and unilateral oophorectomy, extensive debridement, daily lavage of the abdominal cavity, and high-dose penicillin. Histology confirmed clostridial myonecrosis of the uterus.